Improvement in stairways



anni @da CHARLES SAUNDEES cLoSE,v oE

.PHILADELPH1A, PENNSYLVANIA.'

Letters Patent No. 111,610, dated February l', 1871.

I, CHARLES SAUNDEES CLOSE, of Philadelphia,

county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented au Improvement in Stairways', ot' which the i following isi a specification Al'atgzwre andv Object ofthe Invention. My invention consists in the arrangement'above a Vspiral or other stairway, ot' a number of segmental plates, which can be operated so as to open or close the stairway, in the manner fully described hereafter.

The main objects of theiuventionare to prevent 'tire from communicating, by means of the stairway, from story to story of abuilding, and also to prevent heat from ascending from a lower to an upper story.

Description of the Accompanying Drawing.' Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a staircase, showing my improvement; Figure 2, a'seetional view of that portion of the staircase to which my invention particular relates; Figure 3, a perspective view ot' the same; and

Figures 4 and 5 plan views, showingr the parts in` different postions.

Generaal Description.

A represents a cylindrical -casing adapted Vto Ian opening in the loor to be reached ,by the spiral stairway. v

`The upright` shaft B, to which the usual radial steps are secured, extends through the center' of the casing A, and upon the shaft a number of segmental plates, 0,01, G2, C, and C* are arranged to turn, the plates being situated one above another, and the periphery of each being adapted to one of a number of guiding-grooves formed by a number of ribs, a', on the inner surface of the casing A, in which there is also an internal flange, b, for a purpose described hereafter. A

f'lhe lowest plate,- 0, which is also the lhighest step of the stairway, is permanent-ly secured to the casing A, and above this permanent plate is lthe first `movable plate, G1, and .at one corner of the latter', where the edge e meets the periphery, is hung a small roller, j', bearing on the face of the plate C, a similar roller, j', at the 'opposite corner, bearing ou the track Aformed-by the internal ange b.

In like manner the remaining plates, O2, C, and Ci, are provided at their corners with rollers j and f', the roller f of each plate resting on the surface of that immediately below, and therollersf. ot the whole of the plates bearing on the track D. Y

- From that edge of the uppermost plate, C", nearest tothe permanent plate Q, projects downward a plate, h, to or nearly to the said plate C.

A rib, 0,'ig. 3, on the plate C1, overlaps a likerib on the permanent plate O,- and in like manner each IN STAIRWAYS. A

The Schedule referred to in these. Letters Patent and-making parti of the same.'

succeeding ,plate has arib overlapping that on the next plate below.

A permanent rail, H, extends around the casing A, excepting opposite the permanent plate C, where it is discontinued, to permit access to and egress from the stairs; but the opening in the permanent railing may be closed by a section ot' a rail, H', secured to highest, 0*, of the movable plates. i

The section ofthe railing H may be used as a medium for operating the plates, and it can also be provided with a suitable locking device,'by which to secure it to the permanent rail, wlien'it is desirable, to prevent any movement of the plates.

When it is desirable to so close the' stairwayas to prevent access to it from above-or egress from below, all that is necessary is to draw the plate C* in the direction ot' the arrow, iig. 3, and the whole of the movable plates willfollow. blades of a fan-on being opened, and the opening in the casing A will be closed, and may be secured against reopening by a suitable lockiugapparatus. When the plates are moved back, one sliding over theother, until the whole coincide with the permanent plate C, they This action is similar to that of the will, with the latter, form the highest step of the stairs, v

which can now be ascended and descended without interrnption.

The main obj eet of" this invention is to prevent re from communicating, by meansvot' the stairway, from story to story of a building, and also to prevent heat from ascending from a lower to an upper story.

Although this invention is designed specially to spi. `ral staircases, it will be evident that it can be used in connect-ion with ordinary straight staircases.

Claims.

1. The-combination, with the opening of a spiral staircase, of a series of plates, arranged to open and close with a fau-like action, substantially as set forth.

2. 'lhe said plates G, Gl, C2, 85e., when provided at v the reception and retention of the plates C, G1, dto.,

substantially as herein set forth.

4. The section of railing H', when attached to the upper plate, 0*, so as to serve as a medium for operating the plates. I l Y In testimony whereof l have signed my name to p this specification in thepresence ,of two subscribing witnesses.

CEAS. S. CLOSE. Witnesses:

WM. A. STEEL, F.' B. RICHARDS.' 

